America in Prophecy by Ellen White [Original Edition]

pastor, confessing their various sins, and expecting absolution,
not because they were penitent and wished to reform, but on
the ground of the indulgence. Luther refused them absolution,
and warned them that unless they should repent and reform
their lives, they must perish in their sins. In great perplexity
they repaired to Tetzel with the complaint that their confessor
the public squares, and declared that he “had received an order
from the pope to burn all heretics who presumed to oppose
his most holy indulgences.” –D’Aubigné, b. 3, ch. 4.
Luther now entered boldly upon his work as a champion
of the truth. His voice was heard from the pulpit in earnest,
solemn warning. He set before the people the offensive
character of sin, and taught them that it is impossible for man,
by his own works, to lessen its guilt or evade its punishment.
save the sinner. The grace of Christ cannot be purchased; it is
a free gift. He counseled the people not to buy the indulgences,
own painful experience in vainly seeking by humiliation and
penance to secure salvation, and assured his hearers that it was
by looking away from himself and believing in Christ that he
found peace and joy.
Luther determined upon a more effectual protest against these
crying abuses. An occasion soon offered. The castle church
of Wittenberg possessed many relics, which on certain holy
days were exhibited to the people, and full remission of sins
was granted to all who then visited the church and made
confession. Accordingly on these days the people in great
already making their way to the church, posted on its door a